vertical-endeavour.com

Hey All,

Thanks for this great site, have been taking a look and there's so much info. It's just on the security issue that things don't seem completely clear, so I thought I'd best ask. My boyfriend and I decided a couple of days ago to fly up and do a couple of days hike in the Berg (our first overnighter in the Drakensberg, although we've done quite a few elsewhere) and I just want to check we're being silly to go alone - most postings seem to be either just men or a large group of people.

We're thinking of doing the Bell Traverse and then down Tseketseke (but we have no fixed plan so can easily change the route too).

Thanks!

Welcome Powermonkey.

Your safety can never be guaranteed in the Berg.

Even big groups are vulnerable to the petty, opportunistic theft that typically happens at night (which is the most common security issue). Larger groups definitely have an advantage when it comes to warding off a more confrontational attack. But if someone is going to go out their way to mug you, the advantage of two guys in a hiking group vs a guy and a girl is probably not that pronounced. Where this does leave you vulnerable is when it comes to sexually oriented attack. I only know of rape or attempted rape cases in the Giants Castle area however, and the last incident was in 2006.

You need to be aware that the Bell Traverse is used by the Basotho and locals from the Mnweni alike. Read through this link, among others. You may have heard about the recent fatal accident at the base of Cathedral Peak (see Dragon's Wrath 2010 thread), and while there is no conclusive evidence that it was a security related accident, the incident has unsettled the Berg hiking community somewhat. Between Mlambonja Pass and Tseketseke Pass you might encounter the odd shepherd and I consider that stretch to be more relaxed than the BT.

Consider not sleeping in Bell Cave and Twins Cave - this would reduce the chances significantly. Unfortunately these caves are part of the classic experience of the BT. And the fact that you are posing this question indicates an awareness which will go far in preventing an incident.

I'll be on the BT myself in December, but our group will be 2 woman and 3 guys and I feel totally comfortable with that. I've been on the BT in much smaller groups before and wouldn't hesitate much to repeat that. I've been there solo too but won't repeat that in a hurry...Bell Cave is eerie at night.

So, while I don't give this a green light entirely, I would not say that it is a bad idea altogether, nor would I discourage you from going. It is a decision you must make for yourself. If you go, be careful.

Almost all the time I have spent in the Berg has been with 2 people. 10% of the time with 3 people and max 1% with groups larger than three people.

I get the impression that larger groups are targeted more frequently by thieves than smaller groups. I don't have hard evidence or statistics on this, but it is my clear impression. Larger groups are much more conspicuous than smaller groups. They also move more slowly and tend to be spread out when walking or arriving at a camp spot. Groups of two move more quickly and if one loses sight of them crossing a ridge, they tend to be much harder to spot thereafter. Smaller groups are more flexible and can change plans after 30 seconds of discussion. Larger groups tend also to be more complacent, I would have thought, particularly in tents. If there are just two of you, and you hear a third person rustling around outside a cave or a tent, you'll know there is something going on. But if there is a group of 8 of you in 4 tents and you hear someone outside, it is most likely going to be one of your own.

As for the Bell Traverse, Intrepid has it spot-on. I'd avoid Twins but wouldn't worry as much about Bell Cave - it seems to be used infrequently and so the chances of thieves making a hit there are low. I would, however, be on the look-out from the top of Orange Peel Gap (when you see the northern parts of the Berg for the first time) all the way to the top of the Gendarme from where you see Bell properly for the first time. I would stop along this stretch for 5-10 minutes every 40 minutes or so and have a long, good look around for movement or voices. Likewise, once at bell Cave, I would walk round to the gap between Bell and Cathedral Peak and sit there for 15 minutes, watching and listening. It would be sensible not to get noticed when doing this. If it were a clear, calm night, I'd move along a bit and not stay in Bell Cave.

intrepid wrote:


Last time I was in Bell Cave I was on my own too. I was woken three or four times during the night by rockfalls coming down the Gendarme gully and then, later on, by some really loud and eerie birds -- not sure what they were....

And the sound of the wind whistling from around The Bell to the cave side, changing pitch as it comes closer...and the dark, looming silhouettes of The Bell and the gendarme....magical and eerie all at once.

@ mtn tiska

See if you can google calls for Barn Owl. I have heard them in the Berg before. In fact a pair used to nest in the Cathedral Peak Forestry Building at the top of Mike's Pass.
A distinctly un-nerving [if you don't know what it is] screeching is one of the calls.

Many cultures believe the noise to be from witches.


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